Head- and legroom are important aspects of our vehicle reviews, but rarely do we have to consider the comfort of wildlife in the back of a pickup.
But the Toyota Hilux has been providing safe and comfortable transportation to some very important passengers at Tigglywinkles wildlife hospital in Aylesbury.
Among the most recent passengers experiencing the practicality of the Hilux are three swans, a heron, and a grebe, all travelling back to their natural habitats after being rescued and rehabilitated at Tiggywinkles.
Tiggywinkles spokesman Nikki Babb explained: ‘Swans seem to be especially comfortable in the bed of the Hilux, as they have plenty of head room for those long necks. The feisty heron and aggressive grebe are more nervous than the swans so they were kept in the dark to the back of the truck bed where they would feel more secure.’
All five birds were successfully released back into the wild.
Tiggywinkles, a registered charity, has been rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating wildlife in Britain for nearly 40 years.
Tending to more than 10,000 casualties a year, it operates Europe’s busiest wildlife hospital, caring for all species from hedgehogs and badgers to deer and swans. The organisation runs entirely on donations and receives no public funding.
The charity was given the Hilux Invincible Double Cab in 2013; increased ground clearance and a snorkel exhaust unit means it can cope with rough terrain and flooded roads often crossed to rescue animals in need.
It has also been fitted with a Truckman top over the rear deck, roof rack, high-mounted LED lighting bar, front winch, towbar and Tiggywinkles livery.
The best pickups for 2017 – coming soon
Nissan Navara ‘snapped chassis’ issue – all you need to know
